UTV Media clinches Sport deal
UTV Media confirms it has now acquired the free weekly Sport magazine for an undisclosed amount.
Sport will be re-launched next month. Editor Simon Caney and the magazine’s staff of 20 will move into talkSPORT’s London offices under the direction of UTV Radio (GB) sales director Adam Bullock.
Scott Taunton, UTV Radio (GB), managing director, says: “Sport is a wonderful addition to UTV. With an impressive weekly circulation of 317,000, UTV look forward to building on the magazine’s success in the coming months.
“Sport is an established and well respected media brand that is widely recognised. We have no intention of re-branding it, but it will now be backed up by the strength of talksport, one of the UK’s biggest sporting brands on radio and online which communicates to more than 2.5 million people weekly.”
The magazine’s French-based parent group, Sport Media & Strategie, went into administration last month. UK managing director of Sport Greg Miall will act as consultant during the transition period.
Adam Bullock, UTV Radio (GB), sales director, said: “Commercially, there are obvious synergies between talksport and Sport magazine, with both brands targeting male-focused advertisers.
“Brands, advertisers and media-agencies are increasingly looking at cross-media promotions and whilst the sales teams for talksport and Sport will remain separate, we will be in position to offer campaigns that encompass on-air, on-line, digital and in magazine activity.”